BMO and Dalhousie Partner to Empower Women in Coaching with BMO Girls Play DAL! Soccer Event

On the afternoon of Saturday November 9, Dalhousie University hosted the BMO Girls Play DAL! soccer event, a partnership between Dalhousie and BMO to inspire young girls to pursue sports and coaching. Despite the chilly, windy conditions, a large group of girls aged 6-9 turned out for the event on Wickwire Field, led by the Tigers associate director and women’s soccer head coach Cindy Tye and supported by BMO.

“We wanted to ensure there was a connection to the community with a national event like this,” says Tye, who hosted the event over the 2024 BMO U SPORTS Women's Soccer Championship weekend.

“It starts with providing opportunities at a young level where they can become certified coaches, build confidence, and be around myself and some of my players, which helps propel them into the coaching world.”

The event kicked off with a free, one-day soccer festival featuring games and drills for the young participants. The day's highlight was the involvement of eight newly certified female coaches aged 15-18, all Canada Soccer FUNdamentals training course graduates. These coaches had the chance to immediately apply their new skills by leading the young girls in activities, bringing a fresh and inspiring energy to the event.

“This event truly brought the community together, creating opportunities not only for the young players but also for the newly certified coaches,” says Tye.

For Tye, the event was close to her heart. Having played on boys' teams until she was 14, she recognizes the importance of bringing more women into coaching.

"When I was younger, I saw that women in coaching were a minority," she recalls. "It’s great to normalize women in coaching and to provide a pathway for those who want to be involved."

For newly certified coaches like 15-year-old Kayla Kelloway of United DFC U18 A, the event was a chance to put their training into practice immediately.

"It’s amazing to already be able to coach a small team after getting certified this morning," she says.

BMO Girls Play DAL! not only gives young girls a chance to play but also connects them with inspiring mentors and female role models in the coaching community. As 14-year-old Marisol Casey of Halifax County United U15 AAA explains, "With more female coaches, young girls can have more women as role models, which I think is really important, and it opens a lot of opportunities."

The event also provided a memorable experience for participants as it was hosted on Wickwire Field—the same field of the same weekend hosting the 2024 BMO U SPORTS Women's Soccer Championship. This added a unique and inspiring touch, motivating the young players and coaches alike.

As a bonus, everyone who attended received a t-shirt and an invitation to watch the consolation final of the national championship, rounding out an unforgettable day for all involved.